Jackie Bernardi owns a dog that is both exuberant and a little mischievous. Archie, a 3-year-old Vizsla, needs to run. So much so that if he doesn't get enough of a workout, he'll find some other way to channel his energy.

“We have a dog bed on the patio, and if he hasn't had enough exercise, he'll pick that thing up and drag it all over the yard for hours. That's his way of letting me know, ‘We didn't do enough today.'”

If you're looking for a dog you can run with, those like Archie are ideal candidates.

Bernardi likes to take Archie running near her home in Corona del Mar, or along the trails of Crystal Cove State Park down the Pacific Coast Highway. The Vizsla, which originated in Hungary, was bred to hunt waterfowl, so it's used to logging miles. Archie and his owner usually venture out three times a week, and Archie can run up to 3 miles before he gets tired, Bernardi says.

“It's great exercise for him, but knowing that he requires so much exercise is a really great motivator for me to stay on it.”

Some dogs just naturally make great runners, but in general, owners need to watch how far and how long they push their pooches, says Dr. Heather Oxford, a veterinarian who specializes in canine sports medicine and sees clients in Orange County and elsewhere in Southern California.

She says dogs generally are built for short bursts of speed, and therefore shouldn't run more than 20 minutes or 2 miles at a time in normal weather. If it's hotter, even that timeframe should be scaled back.

“It's not really known if some breeds can handle a lot more than others, but the high-energy dogs, they're kind of the exception to the rule,” Oxford says.

Oxford recommends working in other forms of exercise for the animal, like hiking. A vertical climb will be strenuous, but will save wear and tear on their bodies over time.

“Everything's a bit smaller, of course, but they've got cartilage, they've got joint capsules, and tendons and ligaments, and all of those things can undergo injury if they're pushed too hard, like us,” she said.

Here are some other tips:

Watch for warning signs that the dog is in trouble. Heavy panting, and a tongue that's red (instead of pink) and swollen could mean he's overheating, and if he slows down, stops or lies down, that's an indication he's fatigued or in pain.

Dogs cool off through the pads of their paws, so steer clear of hot surfaces. Even a cement sidewalk will be cooler than street asphalt. The best surfaces are dirt and grass.

Take along water, but for the animal, it's best to wait until the run is over. If a dog drinks water or eats before running, it could cause a painful and potentially life-threatening condition called bloat, in which the stomach dilates and then might twist.

Jackie Bernardi of Corona del Mar jogs with Archie, her 3-year-old Vizsla, along the Bayview Trail in Newport Beach. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Triathlete Gregory Sadowski and his running buddy, Cippo, jog through their Corona del Mar neighborhood. Cippo, a springer spaniel-coonhound mix, was named after Italian cyclist Mario Cipollini. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cippo trots along with Sadowski in Corona del Mar. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cippo makes a great running partner, Sadowski says. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Megan Smith, left, and CJ Smith jog along Bayview Trail in Upper Newport Bay with Buster, their 6-year-old boxer. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Ruffwear's Summit Trex boots for dogs provide protection against rough surfaces, heat and other dangers. The tough surface also provides traction. $54.95 at ruffwear.com COURTESY OF RUFFWEAR
The Slackline Leash comes in different colors. Its length adjusts to make running the most comfortable for you. You can even turn it into a leash waist so you can run hands-free. $39.95 at ruffwear.com COURTESY OF RUFFWEAR
The Swamp Cooler jacket helps keep your dog cool while he's running. Soak it in cold water, wring it out and fasten it around your dog. It works with evaporative cooling, just like a swamp cooler. $54.95 at ruffwear.com COURTESY OF RUFFWEAR
The water bladders in the Singletrack Pack collapse when empty. Or fill just one and use the other pocket to carry other items. $89.95 at thedogoutdoors.com and other online retailers. SIMONE PADDOCK

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